Commerce Auto Insurance Review

The Commerce Insurance Company is a small insurance company based in Webster, Massachusetts. Founded in 1972 as a local company, the Commerce Insurance Company quickly expanded to sell auto, homeowners and commercial vehicle insurance in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

In 2007, the company acquired State-Wide Insurance of New York and began to offer automobile insurance there. In 2008, Commerce Insurance was bought by MAPFRE, the largest insurance company in Latin America.

Commerce also sponsors roadside assistance programs in Massachusetts.

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Commerce’s sister company, Commerce West, offers insurance in California and Oregon through a network of independent agencies.

Commerce also purchased the Automobile Club Insurance Company of Ohio, which writes automobile policies in 11 states through its network of AAA affiliates.

Commerce Insurance Customer Service Review

Commerce Insurance is a small company, as auto insurers go, and does not have very high ratings for customer satisfaction. J.D. Power and Associates ranks Commerce as 33rd in its 1000-point Customer Satisfaction Index, with a score of 734, the lowest given for the group surveyed.

Customers gave Commerce two stars out of five in overall satisfaction, pricing, agent availability, and product lines. This rating is for the company overall, and not necessarily for the division concerned with Massachusetts.

Commerce Insurance Ratings

The parent company, MAPFRE, received an A+ rating from A.M. Best, which rates financial stability. By joining with the parent company, Commerce earned financial stability, although MAPFRE is a foreign corporation and does not have offices in the United States.

Commerce’s corporate offices control all American holdings and insurance underwriting, although the parent company underpins the organization with its financial strength.

“Commerce is the leading auto insurance company in Massachusetts – About one in four Massachusetts drivers are protected by Commerce Insurance”

In New Hampshire, Commerce has various residency requirements, according to that state’s laws, but still accounts for a sizeable amount of the state’s auto insurance business.

Altogether, Commerce writes about $1.6 billion in premium coverage and employs over 1,800 in Massachusetts. The company was ranked the 18th largest personal insurance group in A.M. Best’s 2010 survey.

How much is auto insurance from the Commerce Insurance Company?

Commerce offers a variety of products in the two states in which it operates. In Massachusetts and New Hampshire, Commerce offers auto, homeowners, personal umbrella, and business coverage, as well as earthquake and flood insurance.

Commerce offers its customers a variety of discounts such as:

• The “Shop Smart” discount rewards customers with an 8% savings on their premiums if they renew at least 7 days prior to the end of the coverage period, or if they have lived at the same residence at least 7 years.
• AAA customers receive 10% off their bill with the “Loyalty Special Pricing” discount, which is also available to customers who maintain continuous coverage with Commerce.
• An “Educator” discount offers savings for Massachusetts teachers through local agents, which are listed on the website.
• The “Safe Driver Insurance Plan” rewards customers with no claims or accidents by lowering premium prices, in accordance with Massachusetts law.
• Commerce also offers a 15% reduction in automobile premiums and a 20% reduction in homeowner premiums when you purchase both policies from the company.
• Group reductions are available for employers who insure all their vehicles through Commerce.

Individual discounts are also available for drivers over 65 who have no young drivers in their households; for low mileage per year, for anti-theft device installation, multiple cars on the same policy, driver training, good students, paying your bill in full when due, and for being enrolled in EFT, or electronic funds transfer, which is known as the “Green” discount and.

The variety of discounts, and the AAA association attracts many customers looking for low-cost auto insurance that reflects their good driving habits and financial stability.

Commerce also offers identity theft protection services through its company. Identity theft has become a serious problem for many, and there are independent companies which offer digital protection, credit monitoring, and other services to help you protect your assets.

Commerce offers these services conveniently in tandem with your insurance coverage, and can even give you a discount if you buy services as a “bundle.”

Commerce is sold through independent agents in Massachussetts and New Hampshire. Over 600 agents sell Commerce products, and a local agent can be located by searching the company’s website.

By dealing with independent agents, Commerce is able to offer more personalized service but avoid the overhead inherent in dedicated agents.

Many people find independent agents a better way to shop, so talk to your independent agent to see if Commerce products are right for your needs.

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